Sports Bulletin

Karachi ( Sports News): Lahore Lions and Rawalpindi Royals emerged victorious in their respective matches of the Pakistan Tape Ball Premier League, currently underway at the Naya Nazimabad Cricket Ground under the auspices of the Pakistan Tape Ball Federation. Quetta Qurbanz and Karachi Kids suffered defeats in the two matches played on Tuesday.In the second match of the day, Lahore Lions defeated Quetta Qurbanz by five wickets. Batting first in the opening innings, Quetta Qurbanz scored 95 runs for the loss of two wickets. Kashif Jokhio played a blistering knock of 52 runs off just 20 balls, hitting five fours and five sixes, while Syed Nasir contributed 30 runs off 15 balls with one four and three sixes. For Lahore Lions, Shahnawaz picked up two wickets.In reply, Lahore Lions managed 84 runs for the loss of six wickets, conceding an 11-run lead. Abdul Basit scored 31 runs off 10 balls, smashing three sixes and two fours, while Mohammad Afaq added 20 runs. Wahid Ali, Aijaz Zahid and Essa Khan claimed one wicket each.In their second innings, Quetta Qurbanz scored 67 runs for six wickets, gaining an overall lead of 78 runs. Qurban Ali remained unbeaten on an impressive 48 off 22 balls, which included five fours and two sixes. Chasing a target of 79 runs, Lahore Lions achieved the target in just 4.4 overs for the loss of four wickets. Abdul Basit once again starred with the bat, scoring a match-winning 46 runs off 14 balls with six sixes and two fours, while Kamran Kami scored 18. Essa Khan took three wickets. Abdul Basit was adjudged Player of the Match.Earlier, Rawalpindi Royals defeated Karachi Kids by eight wickets. Karachi Kids, batting first, scored 78 runs for seven wickets. Captain Asad Shah was the top scorer with 26 runs off 10 balls, including one four and three sixes. Qadir Kashmiri bowled brilliantly, taking three wickets.In response, Rawalpindi Royals posted a massive 123 runs without losing a wicket, taking a commanding 45-run lead. Taimur Mirza smashed 62 runs off 23 balls with one four and eight sixes, while Waqas Sher scored 42 off 16 balls, hitting four fours and three sixes.In their second innings, Karachi Kids scored 110 runs for seven wickets to take a 65-run overall lead. Usama Ali scored a quick 56 off 18 balls with one four and six sixes, while Asad Shah added 22 runs. Qadir Kashmiri once again impressed, claiming three wickets.Chasing a target of 66 runs, Rawalpindi Royals reached the target in 5.5 overs for the loss of two wickets. After the dismissals of Taimur Mirza (12) and Umar Bajwa (16), Shoaib Akhtar played a crucial knock of 27 runs off 10 balls, including two fours and two sixes, to seal the victory. Zaheer Kalia and Dilshad took one wicket each. Qadir Kashmiri was named Player of the Match.

 Lahore (Sports News): All-rounder Shadab Khan has returned to the T20I side as the Men’s National Selection Committee named a 15-member squad for the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, scheduled to take place later next month. Salman Ali Agha, who featured in a record 34 T20I matches — the most by a Pakistan player in this year will continue to lead the side in the forthcoming series.The 27-year-old Shadab, who last represented Pakistan in June this year, underwent shoulder surgery earlier in the year. Following a successful rehabilitation programme at the National Cricket Academy, he is currently featuring in the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia.The other addition to the squad is uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay. The 23-year-old right-handed batter has recently been part of the Pakistan Shaheens squad. He has featured in 32 T20 matches and has scored at a strike rate of 132.81.Pakistan side will depart for Sri Lanka in the first week of January, with all three T20Is scheduled to be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium (RDICS) in Dambulla on 7, 9 and 11 January.The series will provide Pakistan an opportunity to finalise their squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, set to take place in India and Sri Lanka from 7 February to 8 March. Pakistan are scheduled to play all their matches in Colombo, Sri Lanka.15-member squad:Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, ⁠Abrar Ahmad, ⁠Faheem Ashraf, ⁠Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, ⁠Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, ⁠Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Usman TariqTeam management:Naveed Akram Cheema (manager), Mike Hesson (head coach), Ashley Noffke (bowling coach), Hanif Malik (batting Coach), Shane McDermott (fielding coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Grant Luden (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Ejaz (analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media manager), Col. Usman Anwari (security manager), Dr Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor) and Mohammad Ehsan (masseur)Series schedule:7 January – First T20I9 January – Second T20I 11 January – Third T20I

Abu Dhabi (Sports News): MI Emirates confirmed their place in the top two after a comprehensive eight-wicket win over the Dubai Capitals at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Saturday. In what was an impressive all-round performance, Kieron Pollard's unbeaten 44, studded with five sixes, confirmed MI Emirates’ Qualifier 1 clash against the Desert Vipers on 30 December. Meanwhile, the winner of Sunday’s match (the last league-stage fixture) between the Gulf Giants and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders will go up against the Dubai Capitals in the Eliminator on 1 January.Earlier, the MI Emirates spinners continued their stellar form with Allah Ghazanfar’s three-wicket haul (3/28) and Shakib Al Hasan’s shrewd spell of 1/11 in four overs holding the Capitals at 122/8. Skipper Kieron Pollard’s unbeaten 44 runs in 31 balls, with one four and five sixes, led the charge as the MI Emirates secured their fifth straight win of the season.MI Emirates got off to a flying start as openers Muhammad Waseem (27 off 19) and Andre Fletcher (21 off 30) set the tone with a brisk 33-run stand inside the first three overs. The pair remained unbeaten through the powerplay, taking MI Emirates to a comfortable 45/0 after six overs and firmly dictating terms.The breakthrough came in the seventh over when Haider Ali trapped Waseem LBW, ending a 47-run opening partnership. Fletcher continued to keep the scoreboard ticking alongside Tom Banton (28 off 20) but was run out in the 10th over. Despite the setbacks, MI Emirates reached the halfway stage well placed at 59/2.From there on, the chase was firmly under control. The skipper steadied the innings with Banton in the middle overs before shifting momentum decisively in the 14th. Pollard smashed Waqar Salamkheil for 30 runs in the over, highlighted by three consecutive sixes and reducing the equation to just 10 runs from the final five overs. MI Emirates wrapped up the chase in style, cruising home after an unbeaten 67-run stand off 43 balls between Pollard and Banton.After opting to field, MI Emirates imposed themselves early, applying sustained pressure through the Powerplay. Shakib Al Hasan struck in the fourth over to remove Shayan Jahangir (17 off 18), while Ghazanfar followed up in the sixth by accounting for Sediqullah Atal (7 off 9), leaving the Dubai Capitals at 35/2.The situation deteriorated further when Leus de Plooy (3 off 5) was run-out and Dan Mousley scalped Rovman Powell (8 off 4) in the eighth over. Arab Gul also tightened the screws when he pinged number-three batter Jordan Cox on the pads, leaving the Capitals reeling at 53/5 in ten overs.James Neesham (21 off 14) briefly lifted the tempo with three boundaries but was halted by Ghazanfar, who snapped up Neesham with a sharp return catch, followed by David Willey (2 off 2) in the same over.Coming together at 83/7, Mohammad Nabi and Scott Currie (15 off 18) resuscitated the innings with a much-needed stand of 28 runs in just as many balls before Fazalhaq Farooqi scalped the latter in the penultimate over.Nabi remained unbeaten, but UAE’s Zahoor Khan gave away just five runs in the 20th over to close out a strong performance by the MI Emirates.

Hamza Zahoor’s unbeaten half-century guides Pakistan U19 to thrilling winHarare (Sports News): Hamza Zahoor’s unbeaten half-century helped Pakistan U19 register a thrilling one-wicket win over Afghanistan U19 in the tri-series match at Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe on Saturday.Chasing 227 to win, Pakistan U19 reached 230 for nine with three balls to spare, courtesy a match-winning knock of 68 not out from 51 balls by Hamza, who held his nerve in a tense finish.Earlier, after being put in to bat, Afghanistan U19 posted 226 all out in their allotted 50 overs. Osman Sadat top-scored for Afghanistan with a patient 75 off 106 balls, which included four fours and a six while Mahboob Khan contributed 49. For Pakistan, Usman Khan led from the front with the ball, grabbing four wickets for 37 runs, while Mohammad Sayyam and Daniyal Ali Khan bagged two wickets apiece to restrict Afghanistan to a manageable total.Pakistan’s chase got off to a shaky start as they lost early wickets. Captain Farhan Yousaf anchored the innings with a solid 65 off 78 balls, striking six fours and two sixes, before falling in the 31st over with the score on 131.With wickets tumbling at regular intervals, the responsibility fell on Hamza, who counter-attacked with confidence and maturity and struck eight fours and one six in the process. He found support from Daniyal Ali Khan (8, 13b, 1x4) and Sayyam (7, 21b) in brief stands, but Pakistan were left nine wickets down at 201.Right-handed batter Hamza then added a crucial unbroken 29-run partnership for the last wicket with Niqab Shafiq, who scored one not out to steer Pakistan home in a thrilling finish and seal a memorable one-wicket win.Pakistan U19 will now take on hosts Zimbabwe in the third fixture of the tri-series on Monday at the Prince Edwards School in Harare. Scores in brief:Afghanistan 226 all out, 50 overs (Osman Sadat 75, Mahboob Khan 49; Usman Khan 4-37, Mohammad Sayyam 2-41, Daniyal Ali Khan 2-47)Pakistan 230-9, 49.3 overs (Hamza Zahoor 68 not out, Farhan Yousaf 65, Ahmed Hussain 31; Salam Khan 4-44, Zaitullah Shaheen 2-52)Player of the match – Usman Khan (Pakistan U19)

Sharjah (Sports News): Desert Vipers faced a late resistance but pulled through to secure a five-wicket win over the Sharjah Warriorz at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday. The result wiped out the Warriorz’ playoff hopes, while the Vipers became the first team in the DP World ILT20 to win eight matches in the group stage. Post this result, either Abu Dhabi Knight Riders or the Gulf Giants will complete the playoff line-up alongside Desert Vipers, MI Emirates and Dubai Capitals, with the two sides meeting on Sunday, 28 December, in the final league-stage fixture. Meanwhile, the winner of Saturday’s clash between MI Emirates and Dubai Capitals (27 December) will secure a top-two finish.Naseem Shah’s three wickets restricted the Warriorz to 140/7, before Max Holden’s unbeaten 66 runs in 46 balls, including nine fours and a six took the Vipers all the way. Harmeet Singh’s three wickets in the middle overs briefly piled some pressure but Holden was ably supported by Sam Curran’s 25 runs in 28 balls, and Hasan Nawaz’s 25 runs in 14 balls. For the Warriorz, Johnson Charles’ 43 runs in 37 balls was the highest score.  In the second innings, Sikandar Raza and Richard Ngarava put the Warriorz on top initially, keeping the Vipers to just 28/2 after six overs. Raza struck in the third over to remove Fakhar Zaman (6 off 9), while Ngarava followed up by dismissing Andries Gous (1 off 4) to leave the chase wobbling early. Runs were hard to come by as Sam Curran and Max Holden were kept quiet till the end of the powerplay. Curran and Holden began to claw their way back into the chase through a steady partnership of 64 runs in 53 balls. The pair rotated strike smartly against Adil Rashid before Harmeet Singh broke the stand in the 12th over after he trapped Curran LBW. Harmeet gave the Vipers a late scare with wickets in the 14th and 16th overs. Dan Lawrence (9 off 7) was the first to fall, before Jason Roy (4 off 9) was caught and bowled by the USA spinner. However, Hasan Nawaz then joined Holden in the middle and together, the duo’s unbeaten 47-run stand in 26 balls took the side home. Earlier, David Payne and Khuzaima Tanveer gave the Warriorz an early jolt, reducing them to 6/2 after two overs. Payne trapped Monank Patel (4 off 2) LBW in the first over, while Tom Abell (0 off 2) fell in the second to Tanveer. Tom Kohler-Cadmore (20 off 22) counter-attacked to hit Naseem Shah for 19 runs in the fifth over, taking the Warriorz to 45/2 inside the powerplay. Opener Johnson Charles, who had started cautiously, hammered Qais Ahmad for two sixes in the eighth over to break the shackles. He put on 61 runs with Kohler-Cadmore in 45 deliveries until Naseem Shah castled the latter in the tenth over. Two overs later, Qais Ahmad joined the party with a double blow. First, he sent Charles packing and then skipper Sikandar Raza was bowled for a golden duck to leave the Warriorz at 79/5. James Rew (22 off 20) and Ryan Burl (21* off 25) tried to revive the batting effort but were unable to find the boundaries. Naseem Shah closed out the first innings with the wickets of Rew and Harmeet Singh (11 off 8) in the 18th and 20th overs respectively, restricting the Warriorz to 140/7.*Desert Vipers’ skipper Sam Curran said,* “It was really pleasing to get a win heading into the Qualifier. We adjusted to the conditions very well. Max played a superb innings, and Hasan finished it off nicely with some big strikes at the end. It was also good for a few batters to spend time in the middle. We’ve had a fantastic season overall, winning eight out of ten matches.”*Sharjah Warriorz skipper Sikandar Raza said,* “Pretty much everything that could go wrong for us did go wrong this season. Had we played those key moments slightly better in few of our games, we would have qualified already. On these wickets, 150 was a competitive total and we rarely got there, which is the most painful part. The positives are with the bowling unit — Harmeet has been excellent since joining, Adil has bowled really well, and overall the bowlers consistently kept us in the game.”*Brief Scores*Sharjah Warriorz 140/7 in 20 overs (Johnson Charles 43, James Rew 22, Ryan Burl 21 not out, Naseem Shah 3 for 35, Qais Ahmad 2 for 30)Desert Vipers 144/5 in 19.3 overs (Max Holden 66 not out, Hasan Nawaz 25 not out, Sam Curran 25, Harmeet Singh 3 for 29, Sikandar Raza 1 for 27)*Player of the match:* Max Holden

 Karachi (Sports News): Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) lifted the President’s Cup One-Day trophy after defeating Pakistan Television (PTV) by four wickets in the final at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Thursday evening.Chasing a modest target of 165, KRL achieved the target in 34.4 overs for the loss of six wickets, riding on a composed half-century by Shahzaib Khan and a brisk, unbeaten cameo from Muhammad Amir Barki. With the win, KRL pocketed the trophy along with prize money of PKR 5 million, while runners-up PTV settled for PKR 2.5 million.Earlier, PTV who opted to bat after winning the toss, were bowled out for 164 in 40.2 overs. Captain Shamyl Hussain top-scored with a fighting 50 off 44 balls, striking six fours and two sixes, but found little support from the rest of the batting line-up.For KRL, Ahmad Hassan and Sufyan Moqim bagged three wickets apiece. Ahmed Bashir picked up two scalps, while captain Iftikhar Ahmed maintained pressure with an economical spell with figures of 10-2-27-1.In turn, KRL got off to a brisk start through wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig, who struck 23 off just 16 balls, which included five fours. After early wickets, Shahzaib anchored the innings with a patient 53 off 83 balls, including four fours and a six ensuring stability in the chase. Despite brief resistance from PTV bowlers with Faisal Akram leading the effort with three wickets and Ali Usman claiming two, KRL remained in control.Skipper Iftikhar Ahmed contributed 25 off 38 balls, hitting four boundaries, while Muhammad Amir Barki sealed the victory in style with an unbeaten 21 off 13 balls, supported by Hamza Nazar (10 not out, 19b, 1x4).KRL players also dominated the individual honours at the President’s Cup tournament with Shahzaib being adjudged player of the match for his match-winning knock in the final and also finishing as the best batter of the tournament scoring 485 runs, including one century and five half-centuries. Iftikhar was named player of the tournament following an impressive all-round display, scoring 240 runs and claiming 14 wickets, while Sufyan topped the bowling charts to secure the best bowler award with 20 wickets.PTV’s Taimur Khan stood out behind the stumps and was rewarded with the best wicket-keeper of the tournament after registering 12 dismissals.Scores in brief:KRL beat PTV by four wickets at the National Bank Stadium, KarachiPTV 164 all out, 40.2 overs (Shamyl Hussain 50; Sufyan Moqim 3-23, Ahmad Hassan 3-25, Ahmed Bashir 2-34)KRL 165-6, 34.4 overs (Shahzaib Khan 53; Faisal Akram 3-51, Ali Usman 2-19)Player of the match – Shahzaib Khan (KRL)Player of the tournament – Iftikhar Ahmed (KRL) (240 runs, 14 wickets)Best batter of the tournament – Shahzaib Khan (KRL) (485 runs, 1x100, 5x50s)Best bowler of the tournament – Sufyan Moqim (KRL) (20 wickets)Best wicket-keeper of the tournament – Taimur Khan (PTV) (12 dismissals)

Abu Dhabi (Sports News): MI Emirates sealed their playoff berth after a comfortable eight-wicket win over the Gulf Giants at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. An impressive bowling performance, coupled with Nicholas Pooran and Muhammad Waseem’s unbeaten 140-run stand in just 89 balls, sealed their fourth straight win with 21 balls to spare.Chasing 142, MI Emirates were 58/2 in 10 overs, before Pooran and Waseem smashed 84 runs in the next 6.3 overs. Waseem carried the bat with 59 runs in 42 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes, while Pooran scored an unbeaten 69 in just 49 balls, smashing six sixes and three fours. For the Giants Moeen Ali’s 51 runs in 48 balls went in vain. In the second innings, Mark Adair set the tone when he trapped Jonny Bairstow LBW (0 off 3), before Azmatullah Omarzai removed Tom Banton (0 off 5) reducing MI Emirates to 2/2 within the first two overs. Pooran and Waseem rotated the strike effectively, finding the odd boundary. Pooran began accelerating post the 10th over and brought up his half-century in 43 balls with a boundary in the 14th over. After completing a 100-run partnership with Pooran in just 74 balls, Waseem then bagged his own half-century in just 38 balls, his first of the season. At the 15th over mark, MI Emirates needed 27 runs in 30 balls. The duo closed out the win with ease, with Pooran hitting back-to-back sixes in the 16th over to bring scores level before Waseem calmly saw the chase home.Earlier, Romario Shepherd made early inroads by removing James Vince (3 off 4) in the second over, before Rahmanullah Gurbaz (11 off 10) was bowled by Fazalhaq Farooqi an over later. Shepherd struck again in the fourth to dismiss Asif Khan (12 off 8), as MI Emirates kept the Giants to 36/3 at the end of the powerplay.MI Emirates continued to squeeze the Giants, with Arab Gul trapping Lorcan Tucker (13 off 13) LBW in the ninth over. Moeen Ali and Omarzai (14 off 19) struggled to lift the tempo as tidy spells from Gul, Shakib Al Hasan and Kieron Pollard ensured the Giants scored just 18 runs between overs seven and 10. Ali and Omarzai added momentum with a partnership of 40 runs in 34 balls, which was broken in the 15th over when Farooqi got Omarzai. Ali and Mayers then put up a 52-run stand off 35 balls. The acceleration came with 15 runs in the 16th over, followed by another 15 in the 18th. Ali brought up his half-century in the 19th over, and with Mayers’ unbeaten cameo of 28 runs in 18 balls, including four fours and a six, pushed the Giants to 141/6. Brief ScoresGulf Giants 141/6 in 20 overs (Moeen Ali 51, Kyle Mayers 28 not out, Fazalhaq Farooqi 2 for 17, Romario Shepherd 2 for 36)MI Emirates 142/2 in 16.3 overs (Mohammad Waseem 59 not out, Nicholas Pooran 69 not out, Azmatullah Omarzai 1 for 20, Mark Adair 1 for 30)

Abu Dhabi (Sports News): Sharjah Warriorz held their nerve to clinch a dramatic four-wicket win over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Monday. They moved to six points, and with two games to spare, have set up a tight race for the remaining playoff spots in DP World ILT20 Season 4.The Warriorz’ Taskin Ahmed and Wasim Akram reduced the Knight Riders to 10/4, with Adil Rashid's three wickets later restricting them to 134/9 despite Sherfane Rutherford's 44 off 36. Then, James Rew’s unbeaten 42 off 29 balls with four fours and a six, coupled with Raza’s 28 off 25 took them to the victory on the final ball.In the second innings, Jason Holder got the early wicket of Johnson Charles (0 off 6) in the second over, and Monank Patel (7 off 8) soon followed in the third over, bowled by Ajay Kumar. Tom Kohler-Cadmore (30 off 35) then hit three boundaries in a single over. Charles, along with Tom Abell (13 off 13), guided the Warriorz to 38/2 by the end of the powerplay.Olly Stone delivered a breakthrough for the Knight Riders by removing Tom Abell, while Sunil Narine kept Kohler-Cadmore and Sikandar Raza in check. The Warriorz eventually reached 58/3 at the halfway stage of the chase.Sunil Narine finally broke the resistance by trapping Kohler-Cadmore LBW. His 35-run stand off 32 balls with Raza kept the Warriorz in the chase. James Rew then struck a pair of boundaries off Andre Russell in the 14th over and continued to rotate the strike alongside Raza as the Warriorz reached 91/4 after 15 overs.Raza and Rew kept the scoreboard ticking to complete a 57-run partnership off 35 balls. He was then dismissed in the 18th over for Ajay Kumar’s second scalp, after which skipper Holder bowled a superb penultimate over to leave 12 required off the final six balls. However, Rew and Adil Rashid saw out the final over to seal an important win.Earlier, Taskin Ahmed and Wasim Akram ripped through the top order as the Knight Riders suffered an early collapse. Taskin struck in the opening over to remove Phil Salt (4 off 6), before Wasim trapped Brandon McMullen (0 off 3) LBW in the second. Taskin then added Alex Hales (5 off 5) to his tally in the third over.Wasim followed it up with a historic wicket maiden in the fourth over — the first maiden by a UAE player in league history — to remove Liam Livingstone for a duck. This left the Knight Riders reeling at 10/4, before Alishan Sharafu (19 off 25) and Sherfane Rutherford took them to 28/4 at the end of the powerplay.The Knight Riders continued to struggle in the middle overs after spin was added to the bowling equation. Sikandar Raza broke the Sharafu–Rutherford stand of 38 runs in 33 balls when he dismissed the UAE batter. Despite a brief counterattack from Rutherford, the Knight Riders limped to 51/5 at the end of 10 overs.Unmukt Chand (24 off 22) then joined Rutherford in the middle and stitched together a much-needed stand of 52 runs in 45 balls to steady the Knight Riders. Rutherford shifted gears in the 15th over with a six and two boundaries off Nathan Sowter. The pair added vital runs through the middle, taking the total to 95/5, before the momentum was checked in the 17th over when Dwaine Pretorius removed the set Rutherford.Adil Rashid sent Unmukt Chand packing in the 18th over, but Andre Russell and Jason Holder provided a late surge with a couple of sixes each, hammering 25 runs off Taskin in the 19th over. Rashid returned in the final over to dismiss Holder (14 off 6) and Russell (18 off 12), finishing with a decisive three-wicket haul as the Knight Riders were restricted to 134/9.Brief ScoresAbu Dhabi Knight Riders 134/9 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 44, Unmukt Chand 24, Adil Rashid 3 for 18, Wasim Akram 2 for 12, Taskin Ahmed 2 for 41)Sharjah Warriorz 135/6 in 20 overs (James Rew 42 not out, Tom Kohler-Cadmore 30, Sikandar Raza 28, Ajay Kumar 2 for 29, Jason Holder 2 for 25)

Abu Dhabi (Sports News): The Dubai Capitals sealed an important six-wicket win over the Gulf Giants courtesy of an impressive all-round display at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Sunday. With this win, the Capitals have moved to second on the points table, while the Giants slid to a fourth consecutive defeat.Mustafizur Rahman took his three wickets in the 14th over but it was enough to turn the tide after James Vince (36 off 34) and Azmatullah Omarzai (43 off 26) looked dangerous in the middle overs. His bowling helped the Capitals bundle out the Giants for 156. Shayan Jahangir’s controlled innings of 48 from 44 balls, set up the Capitals before Rovman Powell’s unbeaten 47 off 31, including a four and three sixes, sealed the win.The Capitals made a calculated start to the chase with Jahangir providing early impetus, with a six and four boundaries to lift them to 33/0 after four overs. The momentum shifted in the fifth over as Omarzai struck twice to remove Sediqullah Atal (9 off 10) and Jordan Cox (0 off 2). At the end of the powerplay they were 42/2, needing 115 more for the win.Despite the sub-par total, the Giants’ spinners applied the pressure, with runs coming mostly in singles. Jahangir held the innings together, ably supported by Leus du Plooy (22 off 15), before Fred Klaassen shattered his stumps just as the partnership of 31 runs in 27 balls was building was building. With Powell initially quiet on arrival, the Capitals reached the halfway stage at 68/3, leaving them needing 89 from the final 10 overs.The key wicket of Jahangir fell in the 15th over just as he looked set to accelerate. His dismissal briefly checked the chase, but Powell ensured momentum did not slip away, providing the late surge. Mohammad Nabi (25* off 14) then ensured that the contest was settled in emphatic fashion in the final over as he first brought scores level with a four before sealing the chase with a six. Earlier in the game, the Giants raced out of the blocks thanks to Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s explosive start, smashing 25 off just 11 balls to power the side to 39/0 after three overs. Haider Ali then struck in the fourth over to remove Gurbaz and added a second scalp to get Lorcan Tucker (1 off 4) in the sixth. Between these two wickets, Nabi chipped in by dismissing Moeen Ali (7 off 6), as the Giants closed the powerplay at 53/3.Vince and Omarzai then stitched together a crucial partnership to stabilise the Giants’ innings. Together, they put up 66 runs in 46 balls in the middle overs as the duo carried the Giants past the halfway mark and kept the scoring rate ticking.The momentum shifted decisively when Mustafizur Rahman returned for a devastating spell in the 14th over. The left-arm pacer removed Vince, Omarzai and Sean Dickson (0 off 1) in quick succession, reducing the Giants from 110/3 to 116/6 and exposing the lower order.Kyle Mayers (24 off 20) and Mark Adair (12 off 12) attempted a late push, adding some urgency with boundaries in the 18th over, but chaos ensued at the death. The final over saw a remarkable hat-trick of run-outs, as panic between the wickets undid the Giants’ late resistance. From 152/7, they were bowled out for 156.Brief ScoresGulf Giants 156 all out in 19.5 overs (Azmatullah Omarzai 43, James Vince 36, Mustafizur Rahman 3 for 34, Haider Ali 2 for 24)Dubai Capitals 162/4 in 19.2 overs (Shayan Jahangir 48, Rovman Powell 47 not out, Mohammad Nabi 25 not out, Azmatullah Omarzai 2 for 27)Player of the match: Mustafizur Rahman

Sameer Minhas leads Pakistan U19 to ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup glory Dubai (Sports News): A dominant all-round performance, led by a century from Sameer Minhas and a four-wicket haul by Ali Raza, guided Pakistan U19 to a thumping 191-run win over India U19 in the final of the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup at the ICC Cricket Academy Ground in Dubai on Sunday. This marked Pakistan’s first outright ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup title, having previously been declared joint winners in the 2012 edition.After being put in to bat, Pakistan posted an imposing 347 for eight in their allotted 50 overs. Sameer Minhas anchored the innings with a magnificent 172 off 113 balls, striking 17 fours and nine sixes. He laid a solid foundation before accelerating through the middle overs, including vital partnerships with Usman Khan (35, 45b, 3x4s, 1x6) and Ahmed Hussain (56, 45b, 3x4s, 1x6) to put Pakistan firmly in command.Left-handed batter Ahmed’s fluent half-century provided further momentum, while skipper Farhan Yousaf (19, 18b, 2x4s, 1x6) and late contributions from Niqab Shafiq (12 not out, 17b, 1x4) and Mohammad Sayyam (13 not out, 8b, 1x6) ensured Pakistan finished strongly.In turn, Pakistan’s bowlers produced a disciplined and clinical display to dismiss India for 156 in 26.2 overs. Right-arm fast bowler Ali spearheaded the attack with four wickets, striking early to derail India’s chase. Mohammad Sayyam and Abdul Subhan claimed two wickets apiece, while spinner Huzaifa Ahsan also struck twice as Pakistan maintained pressure throughout the innings.Sameer Minhas was adjudged player of the match for his match-winning century and was also named player of the tournament after amassing 471 runs from five matches at an average of 157.Pakistan U19 will now travel to Zimbabwe to feature in a tri-series involving Afghanistan and hosts Zimbabwe, starting from Thursday, 25 December. The ICC Men’s U19 World Cup will be played in Zimbabwe and Namibia from 15 January to 6 February 2026.Scores in brief:Pakistan 347-8, 50 overs (Sameer Minhas 172, Ahmed Hussain 56, Usman Khan 35; Deepesh Devendran 3-83)India 156 all out, 26.2 overs (Deepesh Devendran 36, Vaibhav Suryavanshi 26; Ali Raza 4-42, Huzaifa Ahsan 2-12, Abdul Subhan 2-29, Mohammad Sayyam 2-38)Player of the match and tournament – Sameer Minhas (Pakistan)